Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-11-26
INTER-OCEAN
FACTIONS.
The Dakota Fight Still on-The
Land Commlsslonership.

Land Commlsslonershtp.
Special Correspondence Of the IxrER.OcEAN.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-There is a
terrific fight going on out on the prairies
Of North Dakota. Tho aboriginal say
ages haye long been quieted, but the
white rascals are after scalps now. The
great tribes of division and anti-division
r waging a terrific war upon each 9TH
or, and then there is a cross-fire which
is moving down thousands of tho Day
and anti-Day men, while the clans of
Republican factions are firing into the
ranks Of the other fellows. In short,
from this standpoint, there seems to be
an irrepressible conflict between the
warning factions which will etfectually
tend to prevent congressional action
upon Dakota affairs during the present
session. 1t is not without some degree
of reason that Springer, Holman, Ran
dali and Morrison haye hitherto opposed
all action in behalf of Dakota. The men
who come here and state their different
views of the case do so with more than
ordinary intelligence and prespicaclty.
But invariably they stab some in
the back. Day says that Church is a
rascal. Church says Day is a coward or
sneak. Boynton says Church is a gem
tleman. Mcclure says Boynton is q
saint. Boynton says Day is = thief. Nc.
Clure says Ordway Johnston is a trick
ster. Johnson says they are all liars.
Ex-Governor Ordway says they are all
Williams and unsafe men to deal with.
They all unite in damning Ordway. This
is an epitome of Dakota affairs as they
appear to the average congressman af-
ter he has seen and talked with gentle
men from the territory. Ono of the
most prominent Democrats in Dakota
comes here and says that the governor
of the territory has stolen not less than
$50, 1000 from the territorial treasury, al
though his administration has been less
than a year in length of tme Charges
and counter-charges are thus made on
all hands; and yet the blood thirsty
scalp hunters of the plains wonder why
congress is so slow and dilatory in the
matter Of tho division and admission OF
a great territory. In proportion to pop
ulation Dakota has moro educated,
orainy, able men than any state in the
Union. But not ono of them can talk OF
his n%eighbors without lying and traduc-
ing them. They have not yet learned
tho Christian art ofspoaking with malice
toward none and charity for all.
Rumor is so anxious to designate the
successor of Mr.. Sparks. as commission
or of the general land office, that she
turns slowly towards Tllos. Il. Nash, of
Wisconsin. Nash is the fellow who
came to Washington in July, 1885, with
dusty old clothes, greasy collar, and
plantation manners. He was appointed
chief clerk Of tho p%ostofice department,
by Villas, and proceeded at once to make
himself feared, if not Intensely hated, by
every employe of the great department.
Col. John Jameson, of Wisconsin, Il vet
Gran soldier who had risen from the pos
tai service since the war to the position
of general superintendent of the railway
mail service, was removed last winter to
mako room for the appointment of Nash.
Jameson was an efficient and able pub
lie servant, and a credit to the govern
ment which he had so ably served both
in war and in peace. Nash had the sole
merit of having gained the confidence Of
Villas. He has long since learned to wear
tailor made clothes, gloves and eyeglass-
es. No one to see him today would rec
ognize i'll him the very hungry and very
thirsty Democrat who came from Wis
consin in 1855 to get a little whack at the
spoilA, in the holy name of civil service
reform. II is now alleged that he is
Villas choice for the position of com.
missioner of the general land office. II
that be SO he will be appointed for Villas
has the bulge on all interior department
offices. There are some complaining
and captious cusses, however, who say
be head Of the interior department, liz
being on old railroad attorney and friend
of corporations; and at the Same time te
have his obedient servant Nash in
charge of the general land office. While
everyone who knows Villas knows tina
lie is above suspicion, there are so many
millions of people who don't know him
that thev would bo bowling fraud all the
time. Besides there might be fraud I'm.
der such circumstances and Villas be ig-
norant of it. See? Hence even his bes
friends express the hope that Villas will
not add to his blunders by carrying Nasl
with him into the interior department
The belief prevails that Gen. Edwin
r. Bryant, assistant attorney general fol
the p~ostotice department. has been seloc'
ted to fill the place of commissioner O
the general land Office. vice Sparks re.
signed. Bryant is gentleman ofaoilit,
and great legal expe riencc. He ha
been actively engaged in the law practice
for many years as the partner of Col
Villas. He compiled and codiiied tn
laws of Wisconsin. The postal law
and regulations have been revised ant
re-published by him within the pas
year, and are 10 in better shape thai
over before. He is probably the hes
friend Col. Villas has, anywhere; at am
rate, in him alone does Villas repose com
plete confidence. Hence, tho position o.
commissioner of the general land offic
will probably be rendered him, becaus'
Villas, as secretary of the interior, could
turn over the entire land business t
Byrant, and neve be obliged to Civ
the matter any consideration whatever
Secretary Lamar has been greatly ham
pered because of the enormous amnnn